California Alternate Assessments—Test Administration Options

After careful consideration, the CDE recommends that the CAAs for ELA, mathematics, and science be administered in person with safety protocols in place if (and only if) it is safe to do so. LEAs administering the CAAs in person must follow state, county, and local health guidelines, the California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s COVID-19 emergency temporary standards, and any local collectively-bargained safety protocols; if it is unsafe to test students in person, students should not be tested.

In-Person or Co-Located Administration

Per California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines as of September 4, 2020, all LEAs are permitted to bring students into a school or LEA facility for the purpose of assessments. For more details, visit the CDPH’s Guidance for Small Cohorts/Groups of Children and Youth web page.

In-person or co-located administration occurs when the test examiner (TE) and student are in the same room while completing the assessment. It offers the greatest chance for test security by limiting the number of persons able to view assessment questions and materials. Furthermore, the alternate assessments require a one-to-one administration and the physical presence of the test examiner is critical in providing for a valid test administration